An Adventure for Tia Mia- book1

An Adventure for
Tia Mia
Cara Tejpal
Illustrated by Alankrita

It was a beautiful afternoon, but Tia Mia was in a horrid,
horrid mood. Her little brother, Ishaan, was taking a
nap. Her parents had gone out to meet their friends.

Ramji the cook was busy listening to his
radio. There was no TV in the house. She had
already read both her library books. She had
even finished her holiday homework!
This was not how Tia Mia had imagined
spending her holiday. She was SO bored.

Tia Mia wandered into the garden and looked over
the wall. On her side, the grass was trimmed, and
the flowers grew in neat rows. But on the other side,
things were different!

The forest grew in a tangle of branches and boughs.
Tiny, wild flowers grew in bursts of haphazard
colour. And though she couldn’t see it, Tia Mia
could hear the gurgle of a stream.
She wondered how it would feel to dip
her feet in the water.

It’s time for an adventure, Tia Mia decided!Just a little one.…
Tia Mia looked around to make sure no one was watching, and
then carefully climbed over the wall and onto the other side!
Tia Mia was in the jungle, and Tia Mia felt free. She walked
towards the sound of the water, crunching the dry leaves
under her feet.

At the stream, Tia Mia skimmed stones
and splashed in the shallows, while little
silvery fish nibbled at her toes and made
her laugh. This was fun.

Tia Mia wanted more adventure!
She left her socks to dry on a rock,
wore her shoes, and began to walk in
the forest.

She walked, and walked, and walked, and suddenly realized:
She was LOST!
Tia Mia began to feel frightened. All she could see were trees,
and she couldn’t hear the stream any longer. Just as she was
about to take another step, a voice cried out.

“SSSSTOP!”
“If you step on me, I’ll have to bite you.”
Tia Mia looked down. Curled up on the ground
was a snake.

“I’m so sorry” she said, “but I’m lost! Can you tell me how to
get home?” The snake looked at Tia Mia with unblinking eyes.
“Turn right, and when you reach the tallest tree ask the
Hornbills. We’re not great friends, but I do trust those birds,”
said the snake.

“Thank you,” yelled Tia Mia as
she ran off towards the tree.

The tallest tree was very, very tall. Tia Mia put her
head back and looked up. She could see a big beak
sticking out of a hollow in the trunk.
“Hello!” she called. “I’m sorry but I can’t come out right
now,” said the owner of the beak.
“I’m sitting on eggs, and my mate has blocked the entrance
to protect us!”
“That’s smart,” said Tia Mia, “but please could you tell
me how to get home?”

There was a loud whooshing sound, and
another Hornbill arrived.
“Did I hear you say you’re lost?” he asked.
“Come, I’ll take you to the Tiger. He’s a
scary fellow, but he always knows what
to do.”
The Hornbill flew low over her head, and
Tia Mia followed him on foot.

When they reached a large cave, he stopped.“Here we are,” he
called. And then leaving Tia Mia, flew back towards his tree.
“RAWR” boomed the Tiger from inside the cave. “Don’t come
any closer, girl, I can be dangerous.” Tia Mia froze on the
spot, gathered all her courage and asked, “Sir Tiger, do you
know how I can get home?”

The Tiger’s yellow-green eyes glowed in the darkness
of the cave. “Hmmm,” he purred, “You must ask the
elephants. They don’t like outsiders, but tell them I sent
you and they will help. Do you see those grasslands?
That’s where they are.”

Tia Mia looked at the tall, tall grass in the distance. The Tiger
emerged from the cave and flicked his tail. “Don’t be scared,”
he said, “you will find your way.”
Tia Mia started to walk towards the grassland, but she stopped
to smile at the Tiger, and the Tiger smiled back.

The grass was taller than Tia Mia and she felt more lost
than ever. “Hello,” she called out, “Is anyone there? Tiger
sent me.”
There was a low rumbling sound, and then the grass parted
and a herd of elephants appeared.

“Oh, my!” said one elephant.
“Oh, dear!” said another.
“Oh, heavens!” said a third.

“I’m lost,” said Tia Mia and a big tear rolled down
her cheek. The biggest elephant with the kindest
voice stretched out her trunk. She wiped away
Tia Mia’s tears and said, “Stay between us,
and follow closely.”

Tia Mia couldn’t see over the grass as she walked, but she felt safe
among the elephants. They walked, and walked and walked, and then
Tia Mia heard a familiar gush.
The stream! Tia Mia could hear
the water!
At the edge of the grassland, the elephants stopped.
Each one stroked Tia Mia’s hair with their trunk.

“Trust in nature, and you will never be lost,”
said the leader in her soft voice, Tia Mia hugged
the elephant’s trunk, and watched as they slowly
disappeared into the grass.
She then scampered down to the stream, and found
her socks had dried.

Tia Mia’s adventure was over,
and it was time to go home.
At least for now.